August 11, 2004
Citronnade à la Menthe
[Mint Lemonade]
It has been quite hot around here lately. I am certainly not complaining, as I tend to like the peculiar atmosphere heatwaves create -- blazing sun, closed shutters, quiet afternoons and glistening faces -- and it happens seldom enough in Paris for me to welcome the meteorological oddity. Not to mention the opportunity to wear tank tops and strappy sandals.
To ward off the thirst and dehydration, I have been making batch after batch of this sugar-free, mint-infused lemonade. It's simple as can be, but in the heat one hardly has the energy for anything more elaborate, and this is a delightfully refreshing and tasty beverage to tinkle your ice cubes in.
Final note : as I had no blog category to file this lemonade under, I took it as an opportunity to create a new one, called A Bevy of Beverages. Granted, it's a rather tiny bevy for now, but we were all little kids once, no?
Citronnade à la Menthe
- one large lemon
- two liters of water (preferably filtered or bottled)
- twelve leaves of fresh mint
Walk barefoot into the kitchen. Slice the lemon in two, juice it and pour the juice into a large jug. Add in the water. Rinse the mint leaves under cool water, and add them into the jug. Stir with a long wooden spoon. Take a moment to recuperate after this strenuous activity.
Cover the jug, and let rest in the fridge for a couple of hours. Take a nap in the meantime. When you wake up, put a few ice cubes in a glass, stir the lemonade again, and pour some in your glass. If a mint leaf falls out, keep it as a pretty garnish, or put it back in the pool with its sisters.
Drink avidly. Press the cold jug on each of your cheeks, eyes closed. Pour yourself another glass, return the jug to the fridge, and go sit close to that fan.
Repeat every hour, or as needed.
More Entries Like This One:
~ Lemon Kefir Ice Cream
~ Slow-Roasted Shoulder of Lamb, rubbed with Rosemary, Anchovy, and Lemon Zest
~ Two-Fig Ice Cream
~ Almond Lemon Curd
~ Paris-Grown Meyer Lemon
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Comments (13)
Permalink | Posted by clotilde in Drinks - Recipe Inside!
Bonjour Clotilde, Je vis dans Lyon depuis février dernier. J'apprends français, but for the time being my Engilish is much more better than my French. So...I like your page very much, especially the way you write. I will try to do the lemonade this evening after work. Thanks a lot !
Posted by Meric Duranson on August 11, 2004 3:33 PMThis is a great idea - without sugar (the american lemonade version) it makes for a much more refreshing treat. It never occurred to me to omit the sugar part but its absence just sounds like a better tasting and more refreshing drink!
Posted by writersbloc gal on August 11, 2004 3:41 PMThis brought back good memories for me. My grandmother used to make mint lemonade as a treat for me when I was very small. She would wrap ice cubes in a linen tea towel and smash them with a hammer until the ice was very finely crushed, put it in an enameled-metal cup, and pour the lemonade over. One of the best treats ever on a hot day. Thanks for such a great blog!
Posted by Ann on August 11, 2004 4:46 PMHi Clothilde,
Posted by Debjani on August 11, 2004 6:53 PMI have to congratulate on the most charming blog ever. I read it everyday at work and it really brightens up my day (and kitchen). You really are Paris' best ambassador. But I can't help wondering, how do you find the time and energy to shop, cook, write and hold down a proper job????????
Debjani.
Thanks for the wonderful idea! I can use this all year round, being in a tropical country. :-)
Posted by Karen on August 11, 2004 8:18 PMAhhh, I feel refreshed just reading the recipe! And I think the name is much nicer in French than in English.
Posted by ladygoat on August 11, 2004 10:31 PMthis drink is just the epitome of late summer...
AND you could add some rum and make yourself a modified mojito! mmm.
Posted by julia on August 11, 2004 10:44 PMC'est marrant car moi aussi, j'ai eu une forte envie de limonade récemment...
Sauf que moi, je suis allée chez mon fournisseur favori (Ed, pour ne pas le nommer!) et je me suis acheté une bouteille de concentré de citron !
Cherchez la différence... :-)
Bisous.
Posted by Céline on August 12, 2004 1:58 PMta soeur.
Hello there! Wandered in here from another side and I love it! I´m definately gonna keep coming back here every day! What a nice blog you´ve got! Cheers mate! :)
Posted by Fanney Dóra on August 12, 2004 7:57 PMLemonade is also very delicious with fresh basil in it - it gives the drink a very "earthy" taste. Different types of basil have different results - Thai basil gives it a purplish hue for example.
For an American/sugary version, crush the basil with the sugar and proceed as normal.
Posted by Kim on August 12, 2004 10:04 PMI had some minty non-sugared lemonade recently that was similar to yours. It was a super hot day and we were at a little festival for hardneck garlic varieties. The women who were selling it would make your cup on the spot and let you choose various spices to be mixed in the drink. Derrick and I both asked for cardamom. Yum!
Posted by Melissa on August 13, 2004 12:49 AMHi Clothilde,
This post brought back a wave of memories. I spent last summer in the Middle East, and they drink the same mint lemonade all the time there. It's the most refreshing drink on earth.
Gwen
Posted by Gwen on August 13, 2004 5:07 PMWe moved to Paris last November and I am growing mint, basil, etc. on my balcony, for exactly recipes like this! My French neighbor says they are not safe to eat, though, due to car exhaust and city pollution. Any knowledge on urban gardening safety will be greatly appreciated.
Posted by Annie on July 31, 2008 2:59 PMPS- I love making this Citronade in a "recycled" Lorina bottle w/ attached stopper. So French!